Support frame

Abstract

A kit for assembling modular support structures is described. The kit comprises structural members and joining means. The joining means further comprise straight members, angle members and "T"-shaped members. A variety of different support structures of different shapes and sizes can be assembled by inserting the ends of the structural members into the ends of the various joining means. Furthermore, angle members may be arranged to include wheeled means, allowing for the construction of mobile support structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A support structure comprising: a plurality of rigid structural members each comprising two side members connected by at least two cross members at positions adjacent to but spaced from ends of the side members such that the two side members are perpendicular to the cross members and parallel to one another, the two side members of a respective structural member being formed by two parallel metal tubes which are connected by the cross members, each cross member comprising a metal member welded to each tube generally at right angles thereto; and   a plurality of joining members inter-connecting the structural members, each joining member comprising two open-ended tubes connected at generally a right angle such that the connected structural members form a rigid structure;   wherein the open-ended tubes have an inner surface and the ends of the side members have an outer surface shaped such that the ends of the side members are inserted as a free sliding fit into the open-ended tubes,   wherein at least one of the structural members is positioned in a generally horizontal manner such that the cross members are parallel with a ground surface and at least two of the structural members are generally vertical and coupled to a respective end of the horizontal structural member by the joining members at generally right angles and extend downward therefrom such that the cross members of the vertical structural members are parallel, and;   wherein there is provided an end flange member including a tubular portion for receiving an end of one of the side members of a structural member and a flange portion at right angles to the tubular portion.   
     
     
       2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the length of the side members and the tubes are such that the open-ended tubes have an end face resting upon the cross members. 
     
     
       3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a plurality of "T"-shaped members each comprising a first open-ended tube and a second open-ended tube connected end to end and a third open-ended tube attached at the connecting point of the first open-ended tube and the second open-ended tube such that the third open-ended tube is perpendicular to the first open-ended tube and the second open-ended tube wherein the open-ended tubes have an inner surface and the ends of the side members have an outer surface shaped such that the ends of the side members can be inserted into the open-ended tubes and the length of the members and the tubes are such that the open-ended tubes have an end face resting upon the cross members. 
     
     
       4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the vertical structural members are of different lengths. 
     
     
       5. The structure according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a pair of straight connectors for joining two structural members end to end. 
     
     
       6. A support structure comprising: a plurality of rigid structural members each comprising two side members connected by at least two cross members at positions adjacent to but spaced from ends of the side members such that the two side members are perpendicular to the cross members and parallel to one another, the two side members of a respective structural member are two parallel metal tubes which are connected by the cross members, each cross member comprising a metal member welded to each tube at generally right angles thereto; and   a plurality of joining members inter-connecting the structural members, each joining member comprising two open-ended tubes connected at generally a right angle such that the connected structural members form a rigid structure;   wherein the open-ended tubes have an inner surface and the ends of the side members have an outer surface shaped such that the ends of the side members can be inserted as a free sliding fit into the open-ended tubes;   wherein at least one of the structural members is positioned in a generally horizontal manner such that the cross members are parallel with a ground surface and at least two of the structural members are generally vertical and coupled to a respective end of the horizontal structural member by the joining members at generally right angles and extend upward therefrom such that the cross members of the vertical structural members are parallel to form a generally U-shaped construction and at least one wheel is located at a bottom side of the horizontal structural member for movement across the ground.   
     
     
       7. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said at least one wheel is mounted on a respective one of said joining members. 
     
     
       8. The structure according to claim 7 wherein at least said at least one wheel is mounted on one tube of the joining member on a side thereof facing away from the other tube. 
     
     
       9. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said at least one wheel is a caster wheel. 
     
     
       10. The structure according to claim 6 wherein the length of the side members and the tubes are such that the open-ended tubes have an end face resting upon the cross members. 
     
     
       11. The structure according to claim 6 wherein there is provided a plurality of "T"-shaped members each comprising a first open-ended tube and a second open-ended tube connected end to end and a third open-ended tube attached at the connecting point of the first open-ended tube and the second open-ended tube such that the third open-ended tube is perpendicular to the first open-ended tube and the second open-ended tube wherein the open-ended tubes have an inner surface and the ends of the side members have an outer surface shaped such that the ends of the side members can be inserted into the open-ended tubes and the length of the members and the tubes are such that the open-ended tubes have an end face resting upon the cross members. 
     
     
       12. The structure according to claim 6 wherein the vertical structural members are of different lengths. 
     
     
       13. A support structure comprising: a plurality of rigid structural members each comprising two side members connected by at least two cross members at positions adjacent to but spaced from ends of the side members such that the two side members are perpendicular to the cross members and parallel to one another, the two side members of a respective structural member are two parallel metal tubes which are connected by the cross members, each cross member comprising a metal member welded across to each tube at generally right angles thereto; and   a plurality of joining members inter-connecting the structural members each comprising two open-ended tubes connected at a generally right angle such that the connected structural members form a rigid structure;   wherein the open-ended tubes have an inner surface and the ends of the side members have an outer surface shaped such that the ends of the side members can be inserted as a free sliding fit into the open-ended tubes;   wherein at least one of the structural members is positioned in a generally horizontal manner such that the cross members are parallel with a ground surface and at least one of the structural members is generally vertical and coupled to a respective end of the horizontal structural member by the joining members at generally right angles and extends upward therefrom such that the cross members of the vertical structural members are parallel to form a generally L-shaped construction and at least one wheel is located at a bottom side of at least one of the joining members on one tube on a side thereof facing away from the other tube.   
     
     
       14. The structure according to claim 13 wherein the wheel is a caster wheel. 
     
     
       15. The structure according to claim 13 wherein the length of the members and the tubes are such that the open-ended tubes have an end face resting upon the cross members.